Peninsula woman presumed drowned

Maple Ridge rescue crews are continuing to search for a 26-year-old Semiahmoo Peninsula woman presumed to have drowned after a boat capsized on Alouette Lake Sunday.

Three others onboard the boat were transported to hospital, suffering from hypothermia, but later released.

Maple Ridge RCMP said in a news release Sunday that the group encountered mechanical difficulties with the boat, but after stopping to make repairs, continued on at about 4 p.m.

The boat soon began taking on water, then was swamped by a wave, and sunk.

The four occupants swam for shore, which was an estimated distance of 50 to 100 meters, but only three made it, according to Maple Ridge Search and Rescue.

None of the occupants of the boat reportedly were wearing lifejackets.

Police and rescue crews conducted a thorough search of the water and shoreline, but efforts were eventually called off for the day due to lack of light, Maple Ridge RCMP Cpl. Alanna Dunlop said in a release.

“So far there has been no sign of the missing woman,” she said.

None of the boaters involved were named by officials at Peace Arch News press time Tuesday morning.